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Chapter 182 - Strongest Hidden Mist Village [182]

"Hiruzen Sarutobi, I think you've gone senile!"

The sudden voice, accompanied by the storm-like presence of the intruder, drew every gaze in the room to Uchiha Fugaku.

One by one, the faces of those present shifted—shock, confusion, disbelief.

For the Uchiha clan head to barge in during discussions between the Hokage and the Kirigakure delegation, and to directly rebuke the Hokage—this would be bold even if Hiruzen were only the acting Hokage. But he was still the Third Hokage, in name and reputation.

And the person who had done this… was Uchiha Fugaku!

To the vast majority of jōnin in Konoha, Fugaku was a man known for his burning ambition and yearning for the Hokage seat—but also for his exceedingly cautious and measured temperament.

Put nicely, he "considered the bigger picture."

Put bluntly—he was always hedging his bets.

So to see Fugaku do something this direct and aggressive? Many couldn't believe it.

Tension rippled through the crowd. What was Fugaku thinking, barging in like this? The joint infrastructure project between Wind, Water, and Fire was something he had personally discussed with the Fourth Mizukage. So why oppose it now? Why shame the Third Hokage publicly?

Could it be that the battle with Kumogakure and the current unrest in the village had driven the Uchiha clan head to madness?

"Fugaku, do you even know what you're saying?!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi barked coldly, though inside, he glanced sideways at the now-frowning Hōzuki Mangetsu, and secretly smirked.

As he expected—Uchiha Itachi hadn't let him down.

He had used Itachi as bait, fanning the flames of discontent among the ambitious Uchiha, pushing them—and their leader Fugaku—to lash out against Konoha's alliance with Kirigakure. That would surely provoke Kiri's disdain.

And now, the trap had been perfectly sprung.

"Do I need to repeat what I'm saying to you?!"

Fugaku strode into the Sarutobi clan compound with an icy expression, eyes fixed on Mangetsu. "Back when I went with the Fourth to discuss the tri-nation infrastructure project in the Land of Iron, the talks were disrupted by various incidents."

"But the contract was signed," Mangetsu narrowed his eyes, knowing full well Fugaku wasn't here to play nice. "Your signature is right there. Uchiha Fugaku. Are you saying now you didn't sign it?"

"I signed it, yes," Fugaku said coldly. "But does Konoha recognize it?"

That line stunned everyone. Hiruzen's expression twisted as if struck, and he snapped, "Clan Head Uchiha, I must ask you to stop this irrational behavior! The alliance between us and Kirigakure is a great benefit to the village and the people. We have no reason to reject it—let alone back out!"

A benefit? For whose nation? For whose people?

"This Wind-Water alliance has nothing to do with us. We get no profit, and in return we invite foreign powers into the Land of Fire, undermining our trade and infrastructure. Even the domestic projects within Fire—you agreed to give away fifty percent of the profits! Hiruzen Sarutobi, you're stripping Konoha bare to buy foreign goodwill!"

Fugaku offered Hiruzen no face whatsoever. His blunt criticism exposed every flaw in the joint super-infrastructure deal, and the hall was instantly plunged into a stunned silence.

To show sincerity to Kiri, Hiruzen had welcomed their delegation personally, hosted them at the Sarutobi compound, and called upon many high-ranking jōnin—including the Ino-Shika-Chō trio—to express commitment to the alliance.

But now, Fugaku's words had cast a long shadow. The expressions of dozens of Konoha jōnin shifted visibly. Their eyes turned toward Hiruzen, seeking an explanation.

Truth be told, most of them only knew the project's surface details. Even during the banquet, Hiruzen had only spoken vaguely, avoiding specifics and making it all sound like a mutual benefit.

Now that they heard the truth—they began to realize that this deal was not good for Konoha at all.

"Nonsense!"

Feeling the pressure of so many stares, Hiruzen briefly panicked—but quickly regained control, shouting in fury.

"Fugaku, this agreement was signed by you and the Fourth Hokage. I'm merely upholding it. Why place all the blame on me?"

"Besides, you signed the thing yourself. Now you want to deny it?" Hiruzen's tone turned icy. "Where's Konoha's honor? Where's our credibility? Where does this leave our alliance with Kirigakure?"

Of course he knew the deal was a disaster for Konoha—but to win favor with Kiri, he had pushed it through anyway.

And now that it was falling apart, he was quick to point fingers back at Fugaku.

Hiruzen's response managed to soften the jōnin's judgment. They looked to Fugaku now, expressions complicated.

But Fugaku's face didn't change.

"Esteemed guests, and Kirigakure envoys."

He scanned the room with steady eyes, then said:

"Yes, I signed the contract. But there are two points I need you all to understand."

"First."

"At the time, the Three Kage Summit in the Land of Iron was disrupted by an attack from the Akatsuki leader. The meeting was suspended. When it resumed, Konoha was already in chaos. The Fourth was forced to return home. I was left behind, alone."

"Second."

He paused, voice grave.

"According to Konoha law, all official missions—including village diplomacy and cross-border treaties—must be reviewed and approved by the Hokage."

"I was just a bodyguard. I'm not even part of the Council. Regardless of whether I signed or not, the point is that anything I signed—has no legal authority."

A heavy silence filled the hall.

The jōnin looked at each other. Many seemed like they wanted to speak… but no words came.

In particular, Nara Shikayoshi, current head of the Nara clan and unofficial spokesman of the Hokage's inner circle, opened his mouth instinctively to object—but couldn't.

Because what Fugaku had said was completely true.

Konoha's founding laws clearly stated that all external contracts must be reviewed by the Hokage. Without that stamp of authority, no agreement held legal weight.

It was the same in every ninja village. Without the endorsement of the Kage, no treaty could bind the village.

Otherwise, what would stop any random ninja from signing away their homeland?

"So this infrastructure alliance has nothing to do with Konoha," Fugaku said firmly. "If anyone made it valid—it was Acting Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, when he endorsed that contract and stamped it with the name of the Hokage."

His words were final. Unshakable.

"…Hokage-sama."

Hōzuki Mangetsu narrowed his eyes at Fugaku, then turned to Hiruzen. "What Clan Head Fugaku said is not without reason. You are currently the Acting Hokage, so, you see..."

"This…"

Hiruzen's expression turned ashen. He felt the heat of dozens of eyes burning into his skin. His teeth clenched. He wanted to rip Fugaku apart right then and there.

Agreeing was out of the question.

If he agreed now, he would be drowned in curses from every corner of Konoha—and the entire Land of Fire.

His reputation during the Third War was already a mess. The only thing that had salvaged it was the Box of Ultimate Bliss incident. If this alliance scandal went public—he could kiss the Hokage seat goodbye. He'd be hated to death.

"…I'm very sorry, Envoy."

Hiruzen took a deep breath, feeling like a hawk that had tried to catch a chick—only to get pecked instead.

He had planned to use Kirigakure's power to suppress the Uchiha's nearly unstoppable influence within the village, but now the trouble had come back to bite him.

Uchiha Fugaku… you're a ruthless man.

Hiruzen forced a smile. "Of course Konoha values our alliance with Kirigakure. I've always hoped for more cooperation. But as you might not know, we're currently in a… delicate transition period. Even if I wanted to sign this treaty—I couldn't."

"Oh?" Mangetsu raised an eyebrow. "And why is that?"

"You see," Hiruzen said slowly, "While I am currently the acting Hokage, I am still only temporary. A nation cannot go a day without a monarch; a village cannot go a day without a Kage. We've already begun preparations for the Fifth Hokage election. So until the new Hokage is formally chosen… no one in Konoha has the authority to finalize this agreement."

"The Fifth Hokage election?!" Mangetsu exclaimed. "Ahh, I see. In that case, I was indeed being too forward."

"But the Hokage election is a major event! Has Konoha set a date?"

"Of course," Hiruzen replied, squeezing out a strained smile. "It's scheduled for seven days from now. The announcement isn't public yet, but we've already started warming up the village for it."

He had no choice but to play his final card.

He couldn't afford to offend either Kiri or his own village. So he took the only route left—stall for time.

"Excellent!"

Mangetsu's eyes lit up with joy. "The election of the Fourth Mizukage was a grand event in our history—I still remember it fondly. I never thought I'd have the chance to witness Konoha's next Hokage election firsthand. What an honor!"

"Hokage-sama, we'll remain in Konoha for the next few days. I hope that's not a problem?"

"Not at all, not at all!"

What was supposed to be a grand banquet to welcome the Kiri envoys and strengthen bonds… ended in total failure thanks to Fugaku's dramatic interruption.

When Hiruzen finally saw the envoys off and all the jōnin had left, the smile on his face instantly vanished.

He nearly flipped the entire table over.

"Uchiha Fugaku, Uchiha Fugaku, UCHIHA FUGAKU!"

He roared in frustration. Danzō, Koharu, and Homura offered a few half-hearted words of consolation—but they had nothing else to say.

After all, Hiruzen himself had insisted on handling this. And look where it got him.

No use complaining now.

The Hokage election was all that mattered.

Even Danzō, Koharu, and Homura began canvassing for support—joining in the Uchiha's campaign of handing out rice, oil, and propaganda banners.

Thankfully, the "election date" he had pulled out of thin air—seven days—gave them a little breathing room.

But compared to the Uchiha, who had already begun preparing…

The Hokage faction was clearly behind.

...

The struggle between the Uchiha and the Hokage's inner circle had reignited. Both sides began pulling hard at Konoha's political strings.

In the morning, the Uchiha announced a massive giveaway: Posters of Fugaku clad in Susanoo, holding the Konoha flag, plus flyers listing his accomplishments—along with a bag of rice, a jug of oil, and thirty eggs.

In the afternoon, Danzō, Hiruzen, and Torifu's faction retaliated—distributing their own posters across the village. In addition to rice, oil, and eggs… they threw in a bag of flour.

"You're surprisingly relaxed, given how heated things are outside."

Fugaku sat with a teacup on the veranda of his home, gazing at the blue sky. He seemed lost in thought until the voice behind him pulled him back.

He poured tea into the second cup on the tray—about seventy percent full—and pushed it toward the man behind him.

"For Sarutobi to call the Hokage election… we still have you to thank."

"We didn't do much. This was all Hiruzen's doing—he was the one stirring up the mess. And besides, you have a very good son," Mangetsu said casually as he downed the tea. "Honestly, it's the first time I've seen a Uchiha who actually buys into Hiruzen's whole Will of Fire crap. Your son really opened my eyes."

"…Itachi… was my mistake."

Fugaku sighed heavily, his face clouding over.

Itachi had always been his pride—the one he placed all his hopes on, the genius meant to surpass even Shisui and become the next leader of the clan.

In both talent and composure, Itachi had never disappointed. He even awakened the Sharingan at six, setting a record in Uchiha history.

But what Fugaku hadn't predicted… was that Itachi's ideology had strayed.

"Your family matters aren't my concern," Mangetsu said, "But speaking of current affairs… what are your chances, seven days from now?"

"Ten out of ten."

When it came to the Hokage seat, Fugaku's eyes sharpened—his confidence unshakable.

Mangetsu raised an eyebrow. "That confident? The Hokage faction still has deep roots in Konoha. They've got plenty of support."

"True. Their network runs deep. They have far more supporters than the Uchiha," Fugaku admitted, but his expression remained calm. "But there's one thing they can't match."

"Their candidates are too many. Too messy."

"Reelecting a former Hokage is unheard of. The precedent of the Hyūga's Main and Branch families means they also can't become Hokage. That is to say, my opponents aren't Hiruzen Sarutobi, but rather the other few people."

"Shimura Danzō. Akimichi Torifu. Koharu. Homura… all old war dogs with terrifying political capital. But can they truly unite?"

"But I am different."

"The Uchiha only have one candidate—me."

Fugaku's gaze was blazing.

"This time—I, Uchiha Fugaku—will become Hokage!"

"Ha! Good!" Mangetsu clapped. "Now that's something I want to see. What kind of village Konoha will become, under Uchiha rule."

"Hmph. I won't disappoint," Fugaku chuckled. But after a pause, his expression grew hesitant.

"This question probably doesn't matter to you. But I've been wondering…"

"Why are you helping me? Why is the Soul Society? Why is Kirigakure backing me?"

First Tsunade, and now Hōzuki Mangetsu—why was Kiri going so far to support him?

In the shinobi world, all dealings were transactional. What were Kiri's hidden motives?

"Don't overthink it."

Mangetsu smirked. "Someone already paid your price. So you don't need to worry about that."

"Just stay in Konoha—and get ready to become Hokage."

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